Program Overview

Electrical and Computer Engineering Program

The Electrical and Computer Engineering program at Northwestern University offers a comprehensive education in the field, with a focus on both theoretical foundations and practical applications.

Academics

The program includes a range of academic options, including:

• Undergraduate programs:
  • Computer Engineering Major (BS Degree)
  • Electrical Engineering Major (BS Degree)
• Graduate programs:
  • PhD Programs:
    • PhD in Computer Engineering
    • PhD in Electrical Engineering
  • MS Programs:
    • Master of Science in Computer Engineering
    • Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
    • Specializations:
      • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
      • Computer Vision and Image Processing
      • Network and Communication Systems
      • Quantum Computing, Sensing & Communications
      • Robotics and Autonomous Systems
      • Cybersecurity
      • Photonics & Optoelectronics
      • Embedded Systems
      • High-Performance Computing
      • Internet-of-Things & Edge Computing
      • Semiconductors
      • Sustainable Energy and Low-Power Design

Research

The program is supported by a range of research areas, including:

• Computer Engineering
• Signals and Systems
• Solid State, Photonic, and Quantum Technologies
• Undergraduate Research
• Groups & Labs
• Research Centers
• Lab Facilities

Courses

The program offers a range of courses, including:

• ELEC_ENG 202: Intro to Electrical Engineering
  • Description: Introduction to fundamental concepts and applications of electrical engineering.
  • Course Goals: Empower students to pursue their own electronics projects.
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Detailed Course Topics:
    • Week 1: Introduction to the course and overview of electrical engineering.
    • Week 2: Node and loop equations, circuit simplification, capacitors and inductors.
    • Week 3: P-N junctions, current-voltage characteristics, diodes, bipolar junction transistors.
    • Week 4: Microcontrollers, embedded programming, embedded system design considerations.
    • Week 5: Complex numbers and arithmetic, phasors, impedances, basic passive analog filters.
    • Week 6: Fourier series and Fourier transform, sampling, aliasing, reconstruction.
    • Week 7: Operational amplifier theory, practical op-amp circuits, non-ideal op-amp effects.
    • Week 8: Analog and digital communications.
    • Week 9: Machine learning intuition, regression, logistic regression, neural networks, reinforcement learning.
    • Week 10: Quantization, compression, control theory.
  • Computer Usage: Some MATLAB
  • Homework Assignments: Biweekly homework assignments reinforce concepts taught in class.
  • Laboratory Projects:
    1. Introduction: Become familiar with electronic instrumentation. Practice breadboarding and soldering.
    2. Build a useless box.
    3. Build a discrete 3x3 LED matrix.
    4. Modify the useless box from Lab 2 to be controlled by a microcontroller.
    5. Automate the LED matrix from Lab 3 using a microcontroller.
    6. Prepare to make an audio spectrum visualization by creating an analog filter bank along with a microphone.
    7. Create an 8x8 LED matrix and show an audio spectrum visualization.
    8. Modify Lab 7 to use a professional LED matrix and better instrumentation.
    9. Create a keyword spotting system using machine learning.
  • Grades:
    • Homeworks: 20%
    • Labs: 50%
    • Midterm Exam: 10% (take-home)
    • Final Exam: 20% (take-home)
  • Course Objectives:
    1. Be aware of key physical principles and mathematical concepts forming the foundation of electrical engineering.
    2. Have a basic understanding of means to analyze linear passive circuits.
    3. Be able to construct a variety of circuits, get them working, and understand their operation.
    4. Be comfortable using a microcontroller to create complex projects.
  • ABET Content Category: 100% Engineering.

People

The program is supported by a range of faculty and staff, including:

• Faculty
• Affiliated Faculty
• Staff

News & Events

The program hosts a range of news and events, including:

• News
• All Events
• Distinguished Speaker Series
• Meet the Faculty Series
• Faculty Lecture Videos
• Newsletter

Contact

For more information about the Electrical and Computer Engineering program, please visit the Northwestern University website.